cymbidium orchid composite bridal bouquet

Status
Not open for further replies.
hangglidegirl

hangglidegirl

New Member
Sep 10, 2006
286
110
0
62
Carlisle
www.e-flowercart.com
State / Prov
Ohio
We have the opportunity to expand our design horizons but would appreciate help from FC'ers who have experience with this style of bridal bouquet.

I know how to create composite bouquets; what I need help with is knowing how many stems to order. How many cymbidiums typically come on a stem? Is it fair to say that a stem can run $18-19?

I plan on charging 35% labor for the composite bouquets. Is this in line with the labor you would charge?

Do you have a favorite grower for cymbidium stems? Also, as this is an early November ceremony, we will be looking for cream, peach, orange, and adobe brick colors. Any suggestions for varieties?

Lastly, if you have any pictures of cymbidium orchid compposite bridal bouquets you have designed, I would love to see pics!
 
hangglidegirl said:
How many cymbidiums typically come on a stem? Is it fair to say that a stem can run $18-19?
Click to expand...
Your supplier should be able to tell you this. My experience has been 6-10, but most suppliers I've dealt with indicate this on the availability list - our last small shipment had 14+, but I don't believe that's typical. The cost you mentioned is pretty typical, though we have paid less.

I plan on charging 35% labor for the composite bouquets. Is this in line with the labor you would charge?
Click to expand...
A composite to me is very much like corsage work - we would charge 40% at least .....

Our orchids mostly come from Delaware Valley, our everyday wholesaler. I've bought from Metz as well, and they were also great.

Sounds like an interesting project - good luck!

tracy
 
For cymbidiums, I have on average 10 or 11 blooms per stem.

I pay roughly $25 per stem of cymbids, but I'm up in Eastern Canada so surely I'm paying way more than people in western Canada or the States.

I agree with Tracy that you should charge more for labour. You're gonna want to kick yourself while you're making the bouquet if you're not charging enough.

I did a composite rose bouquet and I charged $450 for that piece of art. Not only did I work a great deal on it, but I had to treat all the petals to make sure they'd last, AND I had to wait until the MORNING of the wedding to actually make the bouquet. Very risky! I made sure the bride was ok with a back up plan where I'd reimburse her for the bouquet if I couldn't make it and have a simple rose bouquet for her instead (very worst scenario)! It turned out fine and she loved it. I made a nice chunk of change and it was worth the effort I put into it.

If you never made one before, I'd recommend a little practice run with some leftovers from other events/flowers you have.

Good luck with all that!
Julie
 
The average bloom count per stem we sell is 8-10, certainly higher and lower counts can be had. They will vary on season, where grown and variety. Not sure about your market area, but in November 2007 we saw some cymb prices in the high 20 to low 30's per stem for the high demand fall colors- chocolates, apricot, reds etc.. Do not price yourself too low on seasonal colors- most growers grow plenty of white , pinks , so you get in to the supply and demand dilema with the lesser grown varieties.
While I am no longer on the reatil side of this business, I agree you need to charge more for labor in this type of work. It takes time to create these one of a kind bouquets.
 
Barb,

I ordered cymbidium orchids in green from Dreisbach this week for a wedding I have this weekend. They were about 9 blooms on a stem and cost $29.99 each stem.

Hope this helps!

Pat
 
I dipped the rose petals in Crowning Glory. I'm not sure I would use it on orchids, since orchids seem to hold their own. I usually don't spray orchids with anything at all.

Have you tried an orchid composite yet? I'm curious to know how it goes...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back